Pravin Dattu Londhe v. The State Of Maharashtra
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION VASANT ANANDRAO IDHOL CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO.1351 OF 2026 by VASANT ANANDRAO IDHOL Date: 2026.04.01 11:34:23 +0530 Pravin Dattu Londhe ...Applicant V/s.
State of Maharashtra
...Respondent
Mr.Ashwin R. Kapadnis for the Applicant.
Mr.A.S. Gawai, APP for the State - Respondent. Mr.V.S. Gawade, PSI, Gamdevi Police Station is present in Court. CORAM : R.M. JOSHI , J.
DATE : 30TH MARCH, 2026.
P.C. :- 1.
The Applicant is seeking bail in connection with Crime No. 761 of 2024 registered with registered with Gavdevi Police Station Mumbai for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 111(2) 111(3), 114(4) r/w 3(5) of the BNSS and Section 66(C)(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 2.
On the basis of complaint made by the complaint Nandlal K. Punjabi lodged with Gavdevi Police Station, present 1/5
Applicant and co-accused were came to be arrested. It is alleged that on 23.10.2024, complainant received link on his mobile phone from 8604025471 to join a WhatsApp group. Since the complainant was having Demat account, he thought the said link pertains to the said company. He therefore, joined WhatsApp group. He was informed about the opening of new account and therefore he opened new account and he was asked to send Rs. 1 Lakh through the link, which he sent. This ultimately however found to be a dubious transaction. During the course of investigation, it was found that the present Applicant with coaccused have duped number of persons. On conclusion of investigation chargesheet came to be filed.
3.
Learned counsel for the Applicant submits that there are 14 accused persons in this crime and out of 12 accused are enlarged on bail. It is his submission that there cannot be distinction of role of the co-accused as compared to the allegations against the Applicant. It is his submission that from the present Applicant three debit cards, five bank cheques and mobile phones and diary were seized. It is his submission that 2/5
these recoveries cannot be considered as incriminating since there is nothing to indicate that any money has gone into the accounts of the present Applicant. He therefore on the parity as well as on the ground that the Applicant is arrested on 27th December, 2024, seeks bail.
4.
Learned APP opposed the application by contending that here in this crime, an amount of Rs.43.00 crore is involved and which indicates the seriousness thereof. He further argued that there is recovery of debit cards, cheque books, mobile phones, diary etc. from the present Applicant which distinguishes his role from the co-accused. It is further submitted that there are two offences registered against the Applicant which dis-entitles him for bail. Learned counsel for the Applicant in response thereto, submits that the other two offences are not pertaining to the similar crime. 5.
It is undisputed fact that out of 14 accused persons, twelve are enlarged on bail either by the Trial Court or by this Court. As far as the present Applicant is concerned, his role is sought to be distinquished from the fact of the recovery of debit 3/5
cards, cheque books, phones diary etc. A specific query was made to the learned APP to point out that the said recovery is incriminating. At this stage, learned APP on the basis of the chargesheet was unable to show that any money has gone into the account of the present Applicant for that the said recovery would be considered as incriminating circumstance. Excluding the said recovery, role of the Applicant would be the same as alleged against the co-accused who are enlarged on bail. 6.
As far as criminal antecedents are concerned, admittedly no similar crime has been registered against him previously. Hence this Court finds no justification in not applying parity for grant of bail. Hence the order :- O R D E R :
i) The application stand allowed.
ii) Applicant is enlarged on bail in connection CR. No.761 of 2024 registered with Gavdevi, Police Station Mumbai. Applicant be enlarged on bail on furnishing PR Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two for the sureties subject to satisfaction of the trial court.
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iii) Applicant is directed to appear on each date of hearing before the Trial Court till conclusion of the trial, unless exempted.
(R.M. JOSHI, J.) 5/5